Painting Materials Research Articles

Development and thermal-optical characterization of a cementitious plaster with phase change materials and thermochromic paint

Current climate challenges in urban areas require practical solutions to mitigate the negative environmental impacts attributed to cities such as the urban heat island (UHI) effect. Thermal stresses caused by high temperatures, temperature fluctuations, and UV radiation exposed to building surfaces negatively affect urban and indoor building thermal comfort, building energy use, and durability of the finish materials. Therefore, increasing the performance of exterior finish materials to mitigate the effects of environmental loads would have benefits on the material, building, and urban scales. This paper aims to characterize the optical and thermal properties of a novel cementitious plaster to control solar and thermal loads. The cement plaster developed for exterior façade applications was integrated with thermochromic paint (TC) and phase change materials (PCM) to dynamically control thermal stresses and solar radiation on the exterior surface of buildings. The solar reflectance, infrared emittance, and thermal conductivity of the samples were measured. The results showed that by applying the TC paint on the surface of the cement plaster, solar reflectance was increased by 23%. By combining the TC paint and the PCMs with the cement plaster, a higher rate of solar absorption in colder temperatures compared to a regular cement plaster was shown. The findings indicate the benefits of using such a plaster year around given the dynamic variation of solar reflectance and absorptance.

The Information Development Process of Wintersweet, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum in Chinese Traditional Painting from the Perspective of Information Philosophy, Also on the Selection of Chinese Traditional Painting Materials

The selection of traditional Chinese painting materials is often accompanied by other meanings given by people, and the process of giving meaning is the process of information development. Wintersweet, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, from their own form and people’s observation of them, have been given a special meaning: wintersweet, proud like snow and decent people; orchid, symbolizing the gentleman’s integrity and independence; bamboo, symbolizing the gentleman’s humility; chrysanthemum, symbolizing the gentleman’s hidden inner world, which is not trapped in the trivial things. This development process deals with the development process of in-itself information, for-itself information, and regenerated information. The wintersweet, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum expressed by the artist in Chinese traditional painting is the social information of the three states of in-itself information, for-itself information, and regenerated information of three-state information. The selection of traditional Chinese painting materials has gone through the same process.

Non-invasive identification of pigments in Japanese coloured photographs

This paper describes the first systematic analysis of 19th century Japanese coloured photographs. This unique Japanese technique followed the diffusion of photography taken up by Westerners. The photos were coloured by the painters of the School of Yokohama from ukiyo-e prints ateliers and were sold to travellers returning home as a souvenir from Japan. Although there are several museum collections throughout the Western world, this artistic technique has never been thoroughly investigated, due above all to the fragility of the artworks. In this study 22 photographs and a photo album cover from the Museum of Cultures (Lugano, Switzerland) were analysed by non-invasive infrared spectroscopy in order to identify the painting materials. A preliminary survey was carried out on reference pigments used in Japan in the 19th century, some of which are the same as those used in Western Europe, but many are particular to the Japanese school of arts. The reference pigments were analysed after extraction procedures taken from traditional recipes. Modern pigments such as “aniline colours” were also considered. The results provided insights into the painting materials, for example identifying Prussian blue, gofun, yamahaji, enju, shio, and rhodamine. The data confirmed the use of albumen paper and detected the application of a beeswax-based varnish for conservation purposes.

Late-Holocene vegetation change reveals the environment of ancient people and the origin of Huashan cliff paintings in Guangxi, southwestern China

Human activities in the historical period were determined by the natural environment and social characteristics. The Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape in Guangxi is the most important World Heritage for prehistorical culture in southwestern China. However, knowledge about the natural environment and associated historic human–climate interactions during the period of cliff painting creation remains scarce, which has been an obstacle to understanding the process of regional civilization. Here, we report a pollen record from the core distributing region of Huashan cliff paintings to interpret the natural environment and climate changes, and further to discuss how and why ancient people create these giant cliff paintings based on the relationships of human–climate interactions. Pollen results imply an existence of a mixed broad-leaf and conifer forest in the woodland landscape at Huashan region before 1860 cal. yr BP, after which pine forests were more prevalent. During the cliff painting period from 2370 to 2115 cal. yr BP, broad-leaf and conifer trees dominated the tree layer and provided the key source materials for painting. It can be reasonably assumed that people used stake or ladder to climb the cliffs and created the cliff paintings during a humid climate condition from 2560 to 2000 cal. yr BP. Furthermore, the humid climate during 2700 and 2400 cal. yr BP had been interrupted by short-term drought episodes. These turbulent climate episodes probably played the role of disasters and impacted on the human activities, leading to the social–political tensions and the out-break of war. During the Qin and Han Dynasties, social–political changes relieved the pressure from natural climate changes and led to a more stable society, in which the creating of cliff paintings was gradually fading. Our results manifest the necessity to analyze the natural environment and social–political background in combination in this study on ancient human activities.

SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION OF ACRYLIC FILMS IN PAINT AND VARNISH MATERIALS

Copolymerizations of unsaturated compounds with different ratios of acrylic monomers were synthesized. The synthesized copolymers exhibit good adhesion, flexibility and waterproofing performance may be used in the paint industry. The behavior of the copolymers of MMA and BuMA and proven by IR spectroscopy. This paper describes the synthesis, structure and properties of certain block copolymers. The practical application of scanning electron microscopy used for investigation of materials. Keywords: methyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, copolymers, paint, films, tensile strength, elongation at break, shore hardness.

Hyperspectral imaging and analysis for sketch painting

Spectral analysis is a practical analytical technique suitable for the study of painting. Especially hyperspectral imaging has gradually become a hot research topic in the scientific analysis of painting relics, due to its characteristics such as non-invasive, non-contact, fast imaging and high spectral resolution. It is mainly used to extract the intrinsic information that is difficult to observe in painting with naked eyes. In this study, two seemingly identical sketch paintings served as samples, one was painted with a 2B pencil, the other with a 4B pencil. A ground-based hyperspectral imager was used to obtain the hyperspectral data cube for the two sketch paintings in the range of 390 nm–1025 nm. And the two paintings were analyzed and compared in terms of spectral characteristics. Results indicated that hyperspectral imaging greatly facilitates the acquisition of the diagnostic spectral characteristics of different materials in painting. And the specific target in paintings can be effectively identified through hyperspectral analysis, which is of great help to painting identification. At the same time, DC characteristics and detail characteristics of the painting can be extracted, which are helpful for the researchers to analyze the painting style. In brief, it is further proved that the hyperspectral imaging has significant scientific and practical value in the protection and preservation of painting relics.

Painting on polyurethane foam: “Composizione-Superficie Lunare” by Giulio Turcato

“Composizione-Superficie Lunare” (1965) is an artwork of the Italian artist Giulio Turcato (Mantua, 1912- Rome, 1995). This painting, inspired by moon travels, was created on a polyurethane foam support, material experimentalized by some other contemporary artists in the late 1960′s.In the present paper the organic and inorganic materials used as binders, fillers and pigments, as well as the support itself, have been investigated by means of a multi-analytical approach based on the application of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (ESEM–EDX), Micro-Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (µ-ATR–FTIR), High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Diode Array Dectector and tandem Mass Spectrometry (HPLC–DAD, LC–MS/MS), Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography and Evolved Gas Analysis coupled with Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS, multi-shot Py-GC/MS and EGA–MS). The plethora of analytical techniques available allowed to provide for the first time a full characterization of the different materials used in “Composizione-Superficie Lunare” and of a Turcato's painting. The polyurethane foam artwork was painted using synthetic inorganic and organic pigments, such as methyl violet and manganese violet, dispersed in polyvinyl acetate as medium. The study was fundamental for establishing the original materials and aesthetics of the artwork as well as assessing the degradation state of the painting materials and of the polyurethane foam support. The results collected, crucial for planning an effective restoration campaign, highlight the importance of the contribution of analytical chemistry to cultural heritage.

Detection of potential biodeterioration risks for tempera painting in 16th century exhibits from State Tretyakov Gallery.

In this study, we investigated biodeterioration of materials used in tempera painting by analyzing the structure of the microbiome in ancient tempera paintings exhibited in State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia. Samples were obtained from 16th-century paintings, including a grand Russian Orthodox icon “The Church Militant” (all exhibits were without visible signs of biodeterioration), and from surrounding walls and ceilings (with vast zones of visible microbial growth). A number of microorganisms isolated from visible signs of environmental bio-damage were also detected in tempera paintings kept in temperature- and humidity-controlled conditions unfavorable for the growth of microflora. To determine the biodegrading potential of the microbiome for tempera paintings, we developed a set of mock layers from paintwork materials used in tempera painting of 16th century and their modern analogues and inoculated them with cultures containing filamentous fungi and bacteria. The susceptibility to microbial degradation of individual tempera painting materials was examined by micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which enabled detection of even invisible signs of biodeterioration. The results indicate that the microorganisms isolated from paintings and surrounding areas in the museum are capable of causing significant damage of various tempera materials, among which varnishes were the most resistant; however, the addition of antiseptic (sodium pentachlorophenolate) can inhibit microbial growth on sturgeon glue.

Painting Practical Support: A Study about the Usage of Painting Materials in Children’s Painting Works

Painting materials are one of the mediums that help painters to show the effects of paintings. The use of different painting materials can help the painter to display different painting styles and artistic conception. Six hundred sixty-seven children aged 7 to 13 participated in the study. This study is mainly about the impact of the use of different painting materials on children’s painting creation. The questionnaire survey was conducted based on primary school fine arts education to study the influence of painting materials on children’s painting ability. The content of the questionnaire survey was to investigate children’s usage of different painting materials in painting works and the grasp of painting materials knowledge. This research also provided some painting materials training methods for primary school fine arts teachers to guide children to use different painting materials for painting creation based on the study results.

Modification of water-suspension epoxy varnish and paint materials by nanostructured magnesium oxide

The process of modifying aqueous powder suspension materials (APS) based on solid epoxy film-forming agents with highly dispersed powders of magnesium oxide was studied: production by ChemPur (n-MgO – primary size of particles is 36 nm), and magnesium oxide synthesized by a template method from the concentrated bischofite solution (MgOlab – primary size of particles is 102.8 nm). It was shown that presence of active functional surface OHgroups in both samples of magnesium oxide leads to the formation of secondary structures: aggregates and agglomerates. The nature of the influence of the size of aggregates of MgO particles and the conditions of dispersion on the properties of protective coatings is established. The nature of the influence of particle size and dispersion conditions on the properties of protective coatings is established. Optimal properties of coatings based on APS, sedimentation and aggregative stability of suspensions are implemented only under the condition of effective mechanical dispersion in a bead mill, when the most intensive destruction of large aggregates of n-MgO up to 50–60 nm occurs. The distribution of nanoparticle agglomerates in APS at the micro level (700–800 nm) using the MgO-lab does not lead to a significant change in the properties of APS and coatings based on them.It is shown that the introduction of n-MgO into APS allows reduces the curing temperature of the coatings from 110 to 90–100 °С. It is caused by the increase in the density of cross-linking of the spatial structure of polymer. The strength of modified coatings upon impact and tension increases by 2 times in comparison with the base composition, which does not contain nanomodifier, during curing of coatings at100 °C. In comparison with the known water-borne epoxy paints and varnishes, APS compositions are one-pack, they are more technological in use, have a long lifetime (up to 12 months in comparison with the viability of known two-pack epoxies, 1-8 hours). Materials can be used in industry for the protection of metal products, both as primers and as independent coatings.

Characterizing the generation and flows of building interior decoration and renovation waste: A case study in Shenzhen City

With the continuing growth of urbanization and the boom of the construction sector in China, a substantial quantity of construction and demolition waste has been generated. However, there has been little research to characterize the waste from buildings’ interior renovation (repair and maintenance) or decoration activities. The primary purpose of this study was to provide a systematic analysis for the generation and flows of decoration and renovation waste based on field investigation. Taking Shenzhen city - a fast-growing megacity (over 20 M population) in South China - as an example, the results show that approximately 1 Mt of decoration and renovation waste was generated in Shenzhen city in 2017, with an annual growth rate of 10% over the past decade. Concrete waste and brick (block) account for 72% of the total decoration and renovation waste. The landfilling rate of decoration and renovation waste has reached 83%, of which a majority was disposed of by open dumping. The renovation of older residential buildings produced more than half of the total decoration and renovation waste. Although the amount of hazardous materials such as gypsum and painting materials only account for a very low weight fraction of 2%, they could still pose significant environmental impacts, compared to other types of construction and demolition waste. Accelerating the construction of sorting facilities to separate toxic and valuable materials is crucial, to realize decoration and renovation waste minimization and lower environmental risks. Overall, the findings of this study could be applied to formulate environmentally sound management measures from a policy standpoint, for Shenzhen city. The methods could also be useful for decoration and renovation waste estimation and projection in other cities in China and beyond.

In Situ Measurements for Plastic Zone Ahead of Crack Tip and Continuous Strain Variation under Cyclic Loading Using Digital Image Correlation Method

Fatigue crack is one of the most common damage forms for aeronautical aluminum alloy. With crack propagation, the strain fields of the whole object surface and plastic zone (PZ) ahead of the crack tip are changing continuously. For most metallic materials, the behavior of PZ around the crack tip and continuous strain variation play a vital role in crack propagation. In this work, the “continuous” strain information at and in front of the crack tip on the specimen surface was obtained quantitatively and the PZ size ahead of crack tip was in situ measured quantitatively with crack propagation by using the digital image correlation (DIC) method, which overcomes the difficulty for the in situ measurement of mechanical variables. Moreover, the method of specimen preparation was simplified by using a white matt paint with strong adhesion, but also resulted in a higher resolution being shown, even for such a large area. Furthermore, the experimental results of the PZ size from the proposed method had good agreement with the theoretical values, which overcomes the limitation that the conventional approaches only consider the quasi-static crack. Finally, the continuous strain variation behavior was analyzed from the experimental results in detail with the consideration of crack propagation.

Deep inside the color: How optical microscopy contributes to the elemental characterization of a painting

In the context of paintings characterization, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) combined with Fibre Optics Reflectance Spectroscopy (FORS) is a well-known methodology. The latter allows to classify the pigments constituting the external layers (few microns) of the painting while the former provides the fingerprint of the main chemical elements present in almost all layers (tens of microns) of the sample. The synergetic application of XRF and FORS is a key turn for non-invasive scientific analysis of works of art since it exhaustively describes the pigments employed by the masters and supplies a first insight into their distribution on the panels. In this scenario, Optical Microscopy (OM) applied directly on the painting surface, without any type of sampling, is traditionally deemed as a descriptive tool for showing microscopic features such as craquelure, brushstrokes or painting material distribution. It can be eventually expendable as a qualitative help during the discussion of spectroscopic data, but not considered fundamental. Nonetheless, the application of image processing protocols can make OM a concrete support for the characterization of paintings. In this work a new image analysis strategy has been introduced, its potential has been demonstrated studying different flesh tones from the panel “The Holy Family with St. Anne and the young St. John” by Bernardino Luini (Pinacoteca Ambrosiana Collection of Milan) and, finally, it has been discussed how OM could quantitatively complete XRF and FORS analysis. The results show that optical microscopy, other than provide a glance of the investigated surface spots, effectively integrates the description given by the spectroscopic techniques and, properly managed, can be a useful resource for solving ambiguous cases.

The effect of paint type on the development of latent fingermarks on walls

Despite recent advances in DNA technology, fingermark evidence remains a fundamental method of ascertaining an individual’s identity. Latent fingermarks are the commonest type of fingermark encountered at crime scenes. The Fingermark Visualisation Manual provides crime scene practitioner’s with sequential information regarding which enhancement processes are best suited for a range of deposition surfaces (Bandey et al., 2014) [1]. However, there are still many surfaces, such as painted walls where more knowledge is required regarding which development techniques provide optimum results. In this study, four paint types were tested (matt, silk, bathroom and eggshell). Fingermarks were deposited on painted simulated walls and aged for 1 day, 1 week and 1 month. Fingermarks were developed by three processes highlighted as the most frequently used by practitioners (magnetic granular powder, magneta flake powder and ninhydrin). The results showed that overall black magnetic granular powder outperformed both magneta flake powder and ninhydrin on all paint types. This contradicts current UK guidelines for enhancement of fingermarks on matt painted walls, as black magnetic granular powder is not a recommended process at present. SEM and SEM-EDX analysis showed distinct differences between matt paint and the three non-matt paints tested, which provides an explanation for the results obtained.

Shades of blue: non-invasive spectroscopic investigations of Maya blue pigments. From laboratory mock-ups to Mesoamerican codices

Maya blue is a hybrid pigment where an organic component, indigo, is incorporated in a porous clay. Despite its widespread use in the Mesoamerican artistic production and numerous studies devoted to understand the type of interactions between indigo and the host framework, its technology has not been completely unravelled yet. In this study portable non-invasive UV–vis reflection spectroscopy is proposed as a robust method for in situ investigation of Maya blue pigments. Laboratory mock-ups of powder Maya blue have been prepared employing different synthesis procedures (varying the nature of: clays, indigo–clay ratios, heating temperatures and time). The goodness of the prepared Maya blue samples—namely the occurrence of indigo–clay interactions—have been probed by micro-Raman spectroscopy and related UV–vis spectral markers have been identified. DFT calculations as well have been performed to deeply explain UV–vis profiles. The set of spectral markers have been finally exploited to interpret spectra recorded on Mesoamerican pictorial codices, through a multi-technique approach based on exploring the UV–Vis properties of the blue paint supported by the FT-IR vibrational study of the inorganic clays. The characterization of blue colours on pre-Hispanic and colonial Mesoamerican codices contribute to a better understanding of the compositional variability of these painting materials and to point out the existence of different technological traditions of colour preparation in ancient Mesoamerica.

Punjabi jutti and contemporary adaptations

The use of footwear is as old as civilization. Numerous experimentations through the hands of Indian artisans of various regions, the form of desi jutti or traditional footwear emerged and circulated in numerous designs during ages. Today's transforming approach of arts has been entered in every field of life to revive and modify our traditional handicrafts to justify our present needs and fashions. This paper is an effort to review the origin and glorious past of the handicraft of desi jutti as well new interventions in the handicraft industry, which affected, altered and fluctuated its original form using contemporary designs, materials and modern techniques. This paper is based on review of literature, interview and observation methods. Data is collected through thirty artisans in Ludhiana. Interviews and discussions also have been done with embroiders, boutique workers, sellers as well as experts. Denim is an artificial material and knitted by warp and weft (Zhai, 2011, 1646). Frequent material or adornments can be harmonized to the denim shoe upper (Zhai, 2011, 1645). Brocade, velvet, mashru, cotton and canvas are the fabrics which can be easily dye, decorate, paint and composite material. The work of embellish the upper part of jutti is distinct process and is done by the embroiders and later, craftsmen attach the decorative upper part with the main body of leather jutti with a glue pasted on it and finally, a beautiful product comes in front of us in various designs. Traditional and modern embroiders as well as boutiques are also involved in the designing of juttisto fulfill the needs of customers. Costumers’ demands also influence the designs and manipulate them. Juttis are also made to match the ceremonial dresses of the consumers.

ЕМКОСТЬ РЫНКА КАК ПОКАЗАТЕЛЬ ЭФФЕКТИВНОЙ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ

The article considers the value of the market capacity indicator for the effective operation of a modern organization. The definition of market capacity indicators that will be used in this study is given as the actual or potential number of products that are sold or may be sold in the future for a certain period of time in the market under study. Market capacity indicators are estimated for the company Mir Kraski LLC, which is located in Rostov-on-don. We study competitor companies selling paint and varnish materials in the construction market of the Rostov region, study the types of competitors and determine their place in relation to the organization under study. Based on statistical data, we study the performance of the production volume of paints, analyzes the seasonality of demand for these products, calculated potential, actual, and available market capacity covered by the organization that sells building materials and its main competitors. The dependence of sales on the season is revealed, there is an increase in the spring months and a decline in sales in the fall. The analysis will be carried out on the basis of activities such as wholesale and retail trade in building materials, taking into account the location, market level, assortment of goods and the involvement of middle-level consumers in trade relations. According to the results of the analysis, it was revealed that the organization under study occupies the third place among its competitors on the basis of calculating the potential, actual and available market capacity, and it is concluded that it is possible to use market capacity indicators to assess the organization’s effective activity. The company “World of Colors” was invited to introduce new strategies for the development of the organization’s economic activity so that in the future it could outperform the economic indicators of competing firms.

Antimicrobial Materials: New Strategies to Tackle Various Pandemics

Coronaviruses are responsible for a developing budgetary, human and fatality trouble, as the causative factor of infections, for example, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It has been well recognized that SARS-CoV-2 may survive under severe atmosphere circumstances. Hence, efficient containment approaches, for example, sanitizing, are crucial. Commonly, living compounds contribute a substance of chemical heterogeneity, with antiviral movement, and therefore can have efficacy as therapeutic tools toward coronavirus diseases. Here, in this review article, we have described the antimicrobialbased materials, which can be used to inhibit the spreading of the COVID-19. We have categorized these materials in three sections; (i) antimicrobial wall paint, (ii) antimicrobial papers and (iii) antimicrobial materials surface coating to be utilized as the antimicrobial-based materials for controlling the COVID-19. In the last section, we have given the concluding remarks with prospects in this area.

Latvia-South Africa Economic Relations 1918–1940

The Republic of South Africa was the first country on the continent of Africa to recognise the renewed independence of the Republic of Latvia on 29 August 1991. This paper provides an overview of Latvian-South African economic relations in the interwar period. In the interwar period Latvian and South African economic relations were mainly confined to foreign trade. Latvia’s foreign trade in relation to South Africa (then known as the Union of South Africa) was more or less regulated by Latvia’s 1923 treaty with Great Britain. Latvia’s main imports from South Africa in the interwar period were fruits (including oranges, mandarins, apricots, grapes, pears, etc.), tanning extracts and materials, paint and varnish extracts and materials, raw wool, palm kernels and oil, and furs and hides, whilst Latvia’s main exports to South Africa were fish and fish conserves (including “Sprotes”), confectionery and chocolates, timber and timber products, paper and paper products, plywood, and liquors etc. In general, despite a growth in trade in the 1930s, trade and thus economic relations were of marginal significance to both countries in the interwar period.

Accreditation of tests on building and road painting materials while mastering the quality aspect according to ISO17025

The function of a laboratory, whether for testing or analysis, is to produce the results of the accurate tests that are used to declare a product's compliance with specifications data. Therefore, it is necessary to produce the reliable results produced, i.e. repeatable (the operator repeats the test, finds the same result) and reproducible (another operator of the similar level of quality or the same one after longer time finds a comparable result). To demonstrate this reliability, the laboratory may undertake a process to several levels (Repeatability and Reproducibility).The typical objectives of this approach include: a) the evaluation of specific measurements; b) determination of efficacy and the ability of performing the comparative tests or methods of measurement; c) improving the confidence of the laboratory's customers; d) diminishing the differences between laboratories; e) training and qualification of operators; f) calculation of reproducibility deviation (internal reproducibility). Therefore the results of the targets quoted on Retro-reflective road markings are directly related to improving road safety.